
Why Top Agents Always Think They Need 2-3x More Money
From Life at Ten Tenths by Matt Bonelli and Garrett Frey
May 28, 2026 · 37 min · Season 1 · Episode 212
About this episode
The episode discusses the pitfalls of comparing oneself to others in the real estate industry and emphasizes the importance of building a personal vision for success and happiness.
Most agents are running the wrong race. They're chasing somebody else's number, comparing themselves to the agent in the next office, and quietly wondering why hitting the goal didn't feel the way it was supposed to. In this conversation, we get into the trap of borrowed visions. A study by Michael Norton found that millionaires at every income level say they'd need two to three times more money to be happy, and that number never stops moving. We unpack why that happens, what Sahil Bloom's Five Types of Wealth gets right about the disconnect, why trying to be the next Ryan Serhant or Gary Vee might not be the right aspiration, and how some agents are winning at the only race that matters. We also get into what we believe is the fix. Added bonus, when you do this work upfront, the business stops feeling like a treadmill and starts fueling the life you actually want. It comes down to building your own vision first, in real detail, before you set a single income goal. Happiness leads, success follows. Your business should fuel your life, not consume it. Join us in the 11 Circle for weekly coaching with Matt and Garrett, additional resources, and full access to our online community…
People in this episode
Hosts: Matt Bonelli, Garrett Frey
Topics covered
- money mindset
- personal vision
- real estate success
- happiness and success
- wealth perception
- business strategy
Keywords
- real estate
- agents
- money
- happiness
- success
- vision
- wealth
- coaching
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